Remote Desktop Connection using MSTC/Terminal

[halluc1nati0n]

I'll need to connect to a desktop in a different city (remotely). Both systems which are gonna be used run Windows..

I do get the concept of VNC - but getting the VNC server to run in the other system is the real pain..

Can MSTSC (Microsoft Terminal Services) built into Windoze achieve this? Do I just need to get the other IP address? Is it that simple? Bear in mind I'll be using the internet to connect to the other remote PC ..

I could probably use TERMINALS over MSTSC as it does have other advantages..

So again, If I do connect over the net, is it just the IP address that I require? Do I need to know of any open port as well?

EDIT : Spelling mistake in title :( Should've been MSTSC for MSTC..

Edited March 30, 2009 by halluc1nati0n

[+BudMan MVC]

As to using terminals?? How about you just get connected first, and then you can play with 3rd party clients ;)

How is getting VNC a pain?? Following the bouncing ball install - what 15 seconds.

What version of windows is it? Remote desktop is not available in XP home for example

But yes its as simple as enabling it, setting up your router to forward the port to the machine 3389 and then connecting to the public IP address from your client. Be it the built in client or some 3rd party client.

If VNC or RDP are too complicated for you - I would suggest you take a look at teamviewer or logmein, etc.

[halluc1nati0n]

  BudMan said:

As to using terminals?? How about you just get connected first, and then you can play with 3rd party clients ;)

How is getting VNC a pain?? Following the bouncing ball install - what 15 seconds.

What version of windows is it? Remote desktop is not available in XP home for example

But yes its as simple as enabling it, setting up your router to forward the port to the machine 3389 and then connecting to the public IP address from your client. Be it the built in client or some 3rd party client.

If VNC or RDP are too complicated for you - I would suggest you take a look at teamviewer or logmein, etc.

As to VNC, I'll have to set up and keep the server running at the other PC right ?

Take it that that the ppl at the other PC's place are totally computer - illiterate so it ain't possible at all ..

So I'll be limited to Windoze clients.. What do you say? XP home doesn't even have MSTSC?

And I'll need a dedicated port as well (which has to be forwarded)?

[GreenMartian]

I guided my mother to install VNC (agree, next, next, finish, type a password). RDP is also easy. Cpanel, system, remote, tick allow, add a user to be allowed to login remotely.

Both will need dedicated ports to be forwarded if they are behind a router. Considering they are clueless, you'd probably end up doing everything yourself.

As suggested, you could save yourself the hassle and give teamviewer a try.

[+BudMan MVC]

If your dealing with real knuckle draggers, then yeah teamviewer is click and then they read some numbers to you.. Your road block is can they read? ;)

[Geffl]

I prefer to use Royal TS from code4ward. It's one of the best RDP managers out there; nice and simple.

[ceminess]

  halluc1nati0n said:

As to VNC, I'll have to set up and keep the server running at the other PC right ?

Take it that that the ppl at the other PC's place are totally computer - illiterate so it ain't possible at all ..

So I'll be limited to Windoze clients.. What do you say? XP home doesn't even have MSTSC?

And I'll need a dedicated port as well (which has to be forwarded)?

You have many options as stated on this thread.

RDP (or MSTSC) is very easy to setup. On the PC that you want to connect to, right click on My computer, go to Properties, then Remote, then Under Remote Desktop, make sure that "Allow users to connect remotely to this computer" is checked (If this option isn't there then the PC is using XP home, which as stated by Budman isn't in XP Home)

After RDP is enabled, like budman said, you need to port forward port 3389 on your router/firewall

once this is done all you need is the external ip and you should be able connect remotely from any other PC.

If you cannot enable RDP for some reason then like budman stated www.logmein.com is very easy to use, my company uses it on plenty of our clients when we cannot port forward 3389.

I've never used teamviewer before, but I'm sure its good alternative as well if BudMan recommends it. ;)

[flak]

If you need a simple solution without the need to open ports and knowing your ip address, just try logmein. You just install it on the remote computer, and then login on the site to access it.

But i recommend RDP, faster and more responsive.

[+John Teacake MVC]

Easy, This is how I did it. Just forward port 3389 on your router. Then you should be able to login from anywhere. Another quick tip is register a Dynamic DNS from DynDNS or somewhere like that (If you haven't already got a static IP address) this makes it alot easier.

[Joel]

  halluc1nati0n said:

As to VNC, I'll have to set up and keep the server running at the other PC right ?

Take it that that the ppl at the other PC's place are totally computer - illiterate so it ain't possible at all .

It starts as a service. They don't even have to log in once it's installed, never mind start the server for you. There's a much setup as enabling RDP, since the RDP server is not on by default.